Sudan coach does not fear star-studded Ghana side

Sudan coach Mohammed Abdallah claims his side have no inferiority complex ahead of their final 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana at home.

The North Africans are meeting the Black Stars in the same group of a qualifying series for a a second successive time.


Ghana won both home and away in the 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifiers but Sudan sent a message of intent by drawing goalless in this year’s eliminators.


The two sides will meet again when the Fifa 2014 qualifiers begin next June.


Abdallah says his squad have long since overcome any sense of intimidation when lined up against the professionals in the Black Stars line-up.

“Ghana are always considered one of the top teams in any group, and we were ranked third [when the draw was made], but all we are thinking about now is winning,” Abdallah said.


“For my team it’s an essential match considering it’s our chance to qualify. Ghana have a lot of hugely experienced players who compete in the top leagues in the world, but my players and I have been working hard at taking on the challenge,” said the former national team captain, better known by his nickname ‘Mazda’.


“I think we have convinced people that we have a strong chance to win and that we deserve to go to the finals. We are not afraid of this match or the challenge. We are very confident.”


Sudan are tied on 13 points with Ghana but both sides might still go through as one of the best second-placed teams.